A CAT that had been missing for 15 years was reunited with his owner just before Christmas.

Winston was found wandering around the Newport area of Launceston on December 21, and was taken to Castle Vets by a client worried that he would get run over as it was getting dark.

At first, the practice said he appeared to be a stray because he ‘was in a bit of a sorry state’.

However, he had a microchip and they managed to contact his owner, discovering Winston had been missing for 15 years! He had managed to make his way from St Austell to Launceston in that time.

His owner picked him up on Friday, December 22.

Mark Tucker, small animal director at Castle Veterinary Group, said: “I have been a vet now for over 30 years now and I have never reunited a pet with their owner after such a long period of time. We’ll never know how Winston managed to make the epic journey from St Austell to Launceston, a journey of some 40 miles, possibly across Bodmin Moor. However, his owners are very grateful that they we were able to identify him and I am pleased to report that he is settling back into his old home. I urge all pet owners to have their animals microchipped, it is inexpensive and painless and could help you be reunited with your loved pet.

“On a regular basis members of the public bring stray cats and dogs into the practice. They are usually animals that have got lost or separated from their owners and by scanning the microchip we are able to identify the owner and quickly reunite them with their pets. From April 2016 it is now the law that all dogs should be microchipped, however we strongly recommend that cats are also microchipped.”

A spokesperson for the practice writing on their Facebook page said: “This is a lovely story with a moral to it — please get your cats microchipped (and keep the details updated) as it means we will be able to trace you at any time.

“The owner couldn’t believe she has managed to get her cat back after all this time!”

The practice has since received a card to say that Winston has settled back into his home really well and has been enjoying a good groom and lots of food!